DEVICE REQUIREMENTS:
General:
Bluetooth ≥ 4.0
Android:
Android ≥ 6.0
iPhones:
iOS 11 or greater (iPhone 6s and newer)
Amazon:
Amazon Fire tablets
Not optimized for tablets
DMXcat Frequently Asked Questions
I. Getting Started FAQs
Q1: Do I need a certain version of Bluetooth to be able to connect with DMXcat?
A1: Yes, Bluetooth 4.0 or above.
Q2: How do I know if my phone has Bluetooth 4.0?
A2: If your Android phone can see the DMXcat on the Playstore, then you have it. If your iPhone is version 4s or higher, you have it.
Q3: Will my tablet work with DMXcat?
A3: Yes.
Q4: Are there any phones that don’t work with DMXcat?
A4: Generally, phones that are not Android or iOS will not work with DMXcat. Also, any Android phone 5.0 or lower, and any iPhones that are IOS 9.2 or lower or older than a 4S, will not work with DMXcat.
Q5: How do I get my DMXcat dongle to connect with my phone?
A5: Find your serial number on the back of your DMXcat dongle. Turn on your dongle and turn on your app. Be sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone. The app will search for all nearby Bluetooth devices. Tap the gear icon to open the “Settings” menu and Select Device list. You will see your device listed as “DMXcat_your serial number”. Tap its connect button. After you have connected this way, your DMXcat app and dongle will automatically connect when both are turned on.
Q6: How do I find my serial number?
A6: Your serial number is on the back of your DMXcat dongle.
Q7: What is the range of the Bluetooth?
A7: About 50’ (15m) depending on conditions.
Q8: What happens if I go out of range?
A8: Your DMX device will behave exactly like it normally does when it loses DMX. Some hold last look indefinitely, some for a limited period of time.
Q9: I only see five apps on my phone, not seven like I saw on box?
A9: DMXcat supports seven apps on Android, but only five on iPhone. iPhone hardware does not support Light Meter or Spectrum Analyzer.
Q10: Can I change any default settings?
A10: Yes, check the “Settings” menu (the gear icon on the home page) for all options.
Q11: My phone has a message that updates are available. Do I need to accept the app updates?
A11: Since many updates are bug fixes, yes you should accept and load them.
Q12: How do I know if my DMXcat dongle has the latest updates?
A12: In “Settings”, select “DMXcat Update”. It will tell you if you are up to date.
Q13: I can’t get my DMXcat to turn off. The green pilot light stays on solid green when I push the power button.
A13: Turn the app off first, then the dongle power button will be blinking. Now power down by holding the power button for two seconds. If you want to power down the dongle while the app is still on, hold the power button down for four seconds.
Q14: What is the battery life?
A14: You will get over 20 hours of use between charges. Turn the dongle off when you are not using it.
Q15: If my battery does run down, will my dongle work with the charger plugged in?
A15: Sure.
Q16: Can I use my DMXcat to troubleshoot my streaming ACN or Art-‐Net?
A16: No, only for DMX.
Q17: I opened my DMXcat app, turned my dongle on and plugged it in to a fixture, but the fixture’s DMX indicator light says it is not receiving DMX.
A17: DMX is not broadcast from the DMXcat until you load the DMX Controller or Fixture Controller.
II. Fixture Controller FAQs
Q1: Why can’t I find my fixture in the database?
A1: Although we have hundreds of manufacturers and thousands of fixtures in the database, we may not have the exact fixture you are looking for. If you inform us, we will add it. You are two ways you can email us right from the DMXcat app:
On the Fixture Controller app, there is a sub menu in the upper right hand corner that contains several links, one of which is an email directly to CTI. There is also a “Report Problem” selection on the Setup menu and in the Fixture Controller app, and once you have loaded any fixture’s personality, you will see a sub menu in the upper right hand corner of the screen that allows you to “Contact CTI.” Just tell us the fixture you need to add and we will add it to the database.
Q2: Can I write my own custom personality?
A2: Yes. In the Fixture Controller app, the Personality Editor lives on the sub menu in the upper right hand corner of the screen. You can write a new personality completely from scratch, or first load an existing personality and then modify it and save it under a different name. After writing your custom personality it will be stored as a “Favorite” in the Fixture Controller app.
Q3: Can I delete a Favorite?
A3: Just select the Favorite, then “unstar” it in the lower left corner of the screen.
Q5: How can I change the RDM information for multiple fixtures??
A5: While in the RDM Controller screen if you long press on any of the discovered fixtures it will enable the multiple RDM selection mode. Pressing the RDM Icon will then take you to the RDM Control screen. All RDM parameters that are common between the selected devices will be available to change on all of those devices simultaneously. As an example you can select all of a fixture model and update their personalities at the same time, or select several fixtures to perform a factory defaults.
III. RDM Controller FAQs
Q1: Why don’t all manufacturers use RDM?
A1: RDM is complex for manufacturers to implement. DMXcat is a great example of a useful RDM tool so we hope to see RDM more widely used in the future to help make your job easier.
Q2: Why doesn’t my fixture respond via RDM?
A2: It is probably does not have RDM implemented by the manufacturer. Check the fixture’s manual to see if it supports the use of RDM.
Q3: My fixture does support RDM and I can access it through the DMXcat’s RDM app, but the fixture’s personality won’t load when I push the DMX button on the RDM screen.
A3: Our database must not have this fixture listed. You can report that to us by email on the “Report Problems” line in the “Settings” screen.
Q4: Is there a way to refresh RDM?
A4: Swipe down on the RDM screen.
Q5: My lights are flickering while using DMXcat?
A5: The DMXcat defaults to a low speed DMX mode to preserve battery. Some fixtures do not fully comply with the DMX standard. To fix this issue go to "DMX Tester" > "Transmit DMX" and turn off battery save mode. Most fixtures work in Fast or Medium modes.
IV. DMX Tools FAQs
Q1: I want to use the “Analyze DMX” and “View Levels” functions but the DMXcat has a female XLR and my DMX cable also has a female XLR. How do I plug in?
A1: Use the male to male XLR5 turnaround that came with your DMXcat. If you need three pin to five pin adaptors you can get them from your City Theatrical dealer.